Systems Engineer (Multiple Positions)

Geoscience Australia; Canberra; Hybrid; AUD 110,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

Geoscience Australia seeks a Systems Engineer to join the SouthPAN project team in Canberra. You will elicit stakeholder needs, maintain requirements, participate in reviews, and ensure integration of engineering disciplines within government and partner expectations.

You will lead technical activities, coordinate with the prime systems integrator and external partners, manage risk, and prepare clear documentation to support decision making.

Qualifications

• Bachelor of Engineering in a relevant field.
• Experience applying systems engineering in large projects.
• Experience in space, satellite or aviation technologies.
• 5+ years in technical roles within large-scale development or government programs (3+ years in space/aviation).
• Knowledge of GNSS, SBAS, DSP and communications systems.
• Demonstrated technical leadership and mentoring ability.
• Ability to manage risk and ensure compliance with standards.

Responsibilities

• Lead and coordinate technical activities within scope and standards.
• Translate project goals into engineering tasks for a team and partners.
• Develop and maintain engineering processes, documentation and protocols.
• Conduct QA, verification and validation of complex data.
• Manage risks and issues; escalate when needed.
• Coordinate testing with the prime integrator and government oversight.
• Build relationships with internal and external stakeholders.
• Prepare technical reports and briefings for decision-makers.
• Contribute to continuous improvement in your technical area.

Skills

Systems engineering

Space/aviation tech

Risk management

Stakeholder engagement

Technical leadership

Verification & validation

Education

Bachelor of Engineering

Geology/geoscience degree

Job description

Geoscience Australia values the lands, water and sky as we work to deepen a shared understanding of Country and Earth. We respect First Nations peoples and their enduring connection, contribution and obligations to Country. Reflecting on our shared history, we are committed to listen and learn.

About us

Geoscience Australia brings together science, data and technology to provide geoscience insights that inform decision-making by government and industry, support innovation, and contribute to Australia's safety, resilience and prosperity.

Our work spans the Australian continent, marine jurisdiction and Antarctic territory, from space to the Earth’s core. We deliver national-scale data, services and infrastructure and work with partners to deepen understanding of Australia and respond to the opportunities and challenges facing our nation.

Our culture

Our strength lies in our people, including our diversity in backgrounds, skills and experiences, and the way we work together to respond to the emerging needs of our work. We value diversity in gender, backgrounds, culture, and experiences of our employees and are committed to providing an inclusive workplace culture that ensures everyone has equal opportunity to contribute, participate and progress. Applications from people who reflect this diversity are encouraged.

Our workplace is committed to the health, safety and wellbeing of our employees and offers a variety of flexible working arrangements to enhance flexibility, including remote working arrangements.

What we can offer you

At Geoscience Australia, you’ll have the opportunity to contribute to nationally significant science, data and technology that makes a difference to Australia. You’ll work alongside people with diverse expertise and experience, with opportunities to learn, develop and contribute to work with real-world impact.

We offer competitive employment conditions, flexible working arrangements and a range of benefits that support the wellbeing and development of our people.

Our team

The Australian and New Zealand Governments are collaborating on a project to deliver improved position, navigation, and timing services across both countries with a Satellite Based Augmentation System (SBAS) capability. Named the Southern Positioning Augmentation Network (SouthPAN), the regional SBAS capability will be utilised by a broad range of industry sectors, including transport, resources, agriculture, spatial, and utilities.

The SouthPAN project is a joint undertaking between Geoscience Australia and Land Information New Zealand and the project team comprises people from both organisations. The project will work with the prime systems integrator, providing government furnished elements and evidence of oversight and assurance during the establishment phase. Geoscience Australia and Land Information New Zealand will continue to work with the prime following the completion of the project to maintain and improve the SBAS capability over its 15-year sustainment period.

More information is available on www.ga.gov.au/southpan.

The role

We have an opportunity for a Systems Engineer in the SouthPAN project team. The Systems Engineer is responsible for working with a prime systems integrator and the project team to elicit stakeholder needs and expectations, develop and maintain customer requirements, participate in technical reviews, ensure the effective integration of engineering specialties, participate in verification & validation activities, and develop engineering processes and procedures.

In this role you will:

• Provide specialist technical advice and guidance on systems engineering and technical assurance for assigned components of the SouthPAN capability.
• Translate high-level project goals into structured engineering tasks and activities for a small specialist team or external partners, and oversee their progress to meet quality and compliance standards.
• Develop and maintain engineering processes, protocols and documentation, ensuring alignment with relevant frameworks and contractual requirements.
• Conduct quality assurance, verification and validation activities, including analysis of complex technical data.
• Manage and report on specialist risks and issues, escalating when appropriate.
• Coordinate technical testing and participate in reviews with the prime systems integrator, ensuring government assurance obligations are met.
• Build and maintain effective relationships with internal and external stakeholders, anticipating and responding to needs to achieve project outcomes.
• Prepare clear and accurate technical documentation, reports and briefings to support decision-making.
• Maintain professional expertise and contribute to continuous improvement within your area of technical responsibility.

To be successful in the role you will:

• Ability to lead and coordinate technical activities, ensuring compliance with relevant engineering standards within agreed parameters.
• Ability to anticipate and resolve complex technical issues, identifying innovative solutions within scope and authority.
• Strong stakeholder engagement skills, including managing expectations and negotiating outcomes to achieve project goals.
• High-level written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to convey complex concepts clearly to technical and non-technical audiences.
• Commitment to professional development, continuous learning and fostering collaboration within a virtual, multidisciplinary team environment.

Required skills, knowledge, experience and/or qualifications

• A Bachelor of Engineering degree in a relevant field (highly desirable).
• Demonstrated experience applying systems engineering principles, systems theory and life cycle management in a complex project environment.
• Experience in engineering approaches for developing space, satellite or aviation technologies.
• At least five years’ experience in technical roles within large-scale development or government procurement programs, including three years in space, satellite or aviation projects.
• Knowledge of relevant technologies, such as GNSS, SBAS, digital signal processing, and communications systems.
• Proven ability to provide technical leadership and mentor others in a collaborative environment.
• Demonstrated ability to manage risk and maintain compliance with technical and quality standards.

Required skills, knowledge, experience and/or qualifications

• Tertiary qualifications in geology, geoscience or a closely related field, or equivalent relevant experience.
• Experience working with authoritative geoscience or spatial datasets, applying established standards and ensuring data integrity.
• High-level written and verbal communication skills, with experience engaging constructively with stakeholders to address technical or service-related queries.

Use of AI in Recruitment

Geoscience Australia may use Microsoft Copilot to support limited administrative and preparatory aspects of the recruitment process. Artificial Intelligence is not used to assess or select candidates, and all decisions are human-led and based on merit.

Candidates must ensure their application reflects their own skills, experience and capabilities. Any use of AI must be responsible, transparent where required, and must not misrepresent their suitability for the role.

Candidates will be asked to disclose their use of AI when submitting an application and may also be asked to do so at various stages throughout the recruitment process.

Applicants are encouraged to familiarise themselves with the Principles for candidate use of AI in recruitment, as well as the Principles for agency use of AI in recruitment which outline expectations for the responsible, ethical and transparent use of AI when applying for APS roles.

To be eligible to apply for this position you must meet the below eligibility criteria.

• Be an Australian Citizen at the closing date of application.
• The successful applicant must be able to obtain, hold and maintain a security clearance of an appropriate level relevant to this role.
• Commencement of employment is subject to the successful applicant undergoing and satisfying pre- employment screening, which includes a police history check.

Recruitability

RecruitAbility applies to this vacancy. Under the RecruitAbility scheme you will be invited to participate in further assessment activity for the vacancy if you choose to apply under the scheme; declare you have a disability; and meet the minimum requirements for the position. For more information please visit the Australian Public Service Commission website.

Hearing or speech impaired applicants are invited to use the National Relay Service by contacting 133 677, and requesting to be connected with our Recruitment and Delivery team on 02 6249 9*** in order to obtain selection documentation.

Technical Assistance

If you require technical assistance, call our Recruitment and Delivery team on (02) 6249 9*** or email ***********@ga.gov.au.

A merit list/pool may be created from this process. If you are successful for the merit pool, your details may be shared with other Australian Public Service agencies unless you choose not to have your details disclosed.